Although upwards of 50,000 Environmental Assessments (EA) are prepared annually, the focus of the National Environmental Policy Acts (NEPA) Regulations is clearly on defining requirements for preparing environmental impact statements. Surprisingly, until now, there has been no authoritative and comprehensive guide on how to prepare Environmental As
Although upwards of 50,000 environmental assessments (EAs) are prepared annually-compared to some 500 environmental impact statements (EISs)-the focus of U.S. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations is on defining requirements for preparing EISs. Written by Charles Eccleston and J. Peyton Doub, who have established themselves among the
The book is written to promote strong and effective environmental impact assessment (EIA) implementation globally, creating awareness on the use of EIA as a tool for decision making on project execution and development actions. The book covers substantive and contemporary issues involved in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), highlighting key concepts, methodologies, practical approaches to effective EIA for development projects/actions in line with regulatory requirements and global best practices The intent of the book is to provide the missing link on the use of EIA as tool for environmental management thereby raising the awareness on actions to preventing environmental pollution and degradation, global warming and other contemporary environmental issues It is written to provide basic guidance that simplifies the methodologies of environmental assessment including the use of GIS technology presenting the value of EIA as policy and management tool for both planning and decision making The book provides the template for quality EIA development and application for environment-lovers across the globe thereby promoting the achievement of the principles of sustainable development. The book will prove to be a useful reference on environmental management to students of environmental studies, teachers, researchers and practitioners as it offers basic theoretical knowledge and practical applications needed to promoting projects' sound environmental management. The book is divided into Eight Chapters. Chapter one provides background information on EIA including global historical background on the evolution of EIA studies and environmental disasters to buttress the connection between Environmental studies, safety and environmental pollution Chapter Two - gives information on the purpose scope and objectives of EIA. Chapter Three - provides the EIA process in a stepwise manner. Chapter Four - Gives detailed description on methodologies for field data gathering, laboratory analysis and data interpretation. Chapter Five- Provides standard and appropriate methodologies for identification, assessment and prediction of project impacts. Chapter Six - Provides basic guidance on the cost-effective measures which are useful in ameliorating environmental and socio-economic impacts of project activities. Chapter Seven - Presents Environmental Management Plan (EMP) as a necessary component of the EIA and its importance for monitoring the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Chapter Eight presents stakeholders' engagement as a delicate aspect of the EIA process which might ultimately define the quality of the study and project acceptability.
Written by experts, this text deals with how environmental impact assessment should be carried out for specific environmental components such as air and water.
Providing information on the assessment an devaluation of environmental impacts, this study also discusses the fundamentals of preparing crystal clear environmental impact statements. Practical, real-life examples are included, as well as tips for identifying and avoiding potential pitfalls.
This is one of the most comprehensive books on complex subjects of environmental engineering assessment and planning. Addressing these issues requires an understanding of technical, economic, and policy perspectives; based upon extensive research and practical experience of the authors, these perspectives are thoughtfully and clearly presented. Covered in this book are subjects related to environmental engineering and planning which include environmental laws and regulations, international perspectives on environmental analysis engineering and planning, economic and social impact analysis, public participation, and energy and environmental implications of major public works and private projects. Contemporary issues ranging from climate change to ecorisk and sustainability are covered in a special section as well. Under Contemporary Challenges are environmental issues that have received considerable public support and concern; they include: climate change, acid rain, deforestation, endangered species, biodiversity, ecorisk, cultural resources, and sustainability. For most of these issues, there are scientific agreements and disagreements; there are many uncertainties, thus views differ widely. These topics are discussed in considerable detail. Notwithstanding uncertainties and differing views on such topics, all of this information is put in a policy context such that progress towards addressing these contemporary challenges can be made while consensus on the nature and extent of the problem and resultant solutions are being developed. The book provides considerable information about many timeless issues. These issues range from resources needed for sustaining the quality of life on the planet: air resources to natural resources. Specifically covered are: air, water, land, ecology, sound/noise, human aspects, economics, and resources. For each of these areas, some of the key elements are described so that one can effectively manage complex environmental engineering and planning requirements. Each of the elements are clearly defined and other information, such as how human activities affect the element, source of affects, variable to be measured, how such variables can be measured, data sources, and evaluation and interpretation of data, etc. are provided. Material presented provides a rich source of information so the reader can efficiently and effectively use it to make meaningful environmental engineering, planning, and management decisions. - Help with every aspect of analyzing the environmental implications of a project - Complete coverage of current approaches, practices, procedures, documentations, regulations, and issues related to environmental engineering and planning - Step-by-step directions for preparing environmental impact analysis, and environmental reports - Valuable expert advice on international perspectives, public participation, social and environmental impacts - A comprehensive write-up on contemporary issues ranging from climate change to sustainability - A comprehensive description and analysis of timeless issues ranging from air resources to natural resources
Evaluating Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in Developing Countries is a valuable reference book for practitioners and researchers conducting research in and developing studies on environmental science and management and environmental and social impact assessment. The book's authors have developed and tested a new framework to evaluate environmental impact assessment (EIA) systems that may be adopted by most developing countries with EIA experience. Application of this framework will help determine if the EIA is achieving its intended goal of sustainable development in these countries. It also explains the reasons behind the strengths and weaknesses from which the development practitioners and international development partners can take lessons. This book will help the reader answer such questions as "What are the best forms of public participation?" and "How do we measure contributions to EIA procedure?" since it is based on direct experiences from a developing country that is struggling with many of these issues. Evaluating Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in Developing Countries provides further understanding of appropriate tools to evaluate environmental and social impacts of development initiatives especially in developing countries. - Demonstrates the development of an integrated holistic method that presents new research in the field - Offers a thorough analytical assessment of an EIA system in a developing country - Presents valuable insights into how developing countries are coping with the new phenomenon of public participation and involvement in environmental decision making and what methods and techniques have been successful - Includes a chapter on social impact assessment in developing countries with special focus on Bangladesh, providing valuable information applicable to developing countries
Environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) is an important and often obligatory part of proposing or launching any development project. Delivering a successful ESIA needs not only an understanding of the theory but also a detailed knowledge of the methods for carrying out the processes required. Riki Therivel and Graham Wood bring together the latest advice on best practice from experienced practitioners to ensure an ESIA is carried out effectively and efficiently. This new edition: • explains how an ESIA works and how it should be carried out • demonstrates the links between socio-economic, cultural, environmental and ecological systems and assessments • incorporates the World Bank’s IFC performance standards, and best practice examples from developing as well as developed countries • includes new chapters on emerging ESIA topics such as climate change, ecosystem services, cultural impacts, resource efficiency, land acquisition and involuntary resettlement. Invaluable to undergraduate and MSc students of ESIA on planning, ecology, geography and environment courses, this internationally oriented fourth edition of Methods of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment is also of great use to planners, ESIA practitioners and professionals seeking to update their skills.
Federal agencies have taken steps to include the public in a wide range of environmental decisions. Although some form of public participation is often required by law, agencies usually have broad discretion about the extent of that involvement. Approaches vary widely, from holding public information-gathering meetings to forming advisory groups to actively including citizens in making and implementing decisions. Proponents of public participation argue that those who must live with the outcome of an environmental decision should have some influence on it. Critics maintain that public participation slows decision making and can lower its quality by including people unfamiliar with the science involved. This book concludes that, when done correctly, public participation improves the quality of federal agencies' decisions about the environment. Well-managed public involvement also increases the legitimacy of decisions in the eyes of those affected by them, which makes it more likely that the decisions will be implemented effectively. This book recommends that agencies recognize public participation as valuable to their objectives, not just as a formality required by the law. It details principles and approaches agencies can use to successfully involve the public.
